Super Typhoon Ragasa Devastates Asia: 27 Dead, Millions Displaced Across China, Taiwan and Philippines

A tree lies toppled by Super Typhoon Ragasa's fierce winds in Hong Kong, China

Typhoon Ragasa, one of the most powerful storms to strike Asia in recent years, sent massive waves crashing onto Hong Kong's promenades and created dangerous sea conditions along China's southern coast on Wednesday, following its devastating path through Taiwan and the Philippines.

The death toll in Taiwan reached 17 after severe flooding submerged roads and swept away vehicles in Hualien County. Meanwhile, the northern Philippines reported 10 fatalities related to the typhoon.

More than 2 million residents were evacuated across Guangdong province, a critical economic hub in southern China, according to state-run Xinhua news agency. A weather monitoring station in Chuandao town recorded unprecedented wind gusts reaching 241 kph (approximately 150 mph) at midday, the highest in Jiangmen city's recorded history. CCTV reported that Ragasa made landfall along Hailing Island in Yangjiang city around 5 pm with maximum winds near its center measuring 144 kph (89 mph). Xinhua footage showed violent winds battering structures and vegetation amid torrential downpours that severely reduced visibility.

Forecasts indicate the typhoon will continue its westward trajectory, prompting authorities to suspend some train services in the Guangxi region for Thursday. Chinese officials have allocated substantial emergency funds for relief operations.

Educational institutions, manufacturing facilities, and transportation services were initially suspended across approximately twelve cities, though some areas distant from the landfall site were preparing to resume normal operations as wind intensity decreased.

The powerful winds from Ragasa, formerly classified as a super typhoon, awakened Hong Kong residents during early morning hours, with many sharing online accounts of kitchen ventilation units being dislodged and construction cranes swaying dangerously.

Strong gusts tore away portions of a pedestrian bridge roof and toppled hundreds of trees throughout the city. A vessel crashed into the shoreline, destroying glass railings along the waterfront. Several riverside areas and promenades experienced flooding, affecting cycling paths and recreational areas. Promenade restaurants saw furniture violently scattered by the winds. Hospitals treated 90 people for storm-related injuries.

A viral video showed waves bursting through hotel doors and flooding interior spaces in the financial hub. The establishment acknowledged on Facebook that the typhoon had made "a dramatic entrance" but confirmed the safety of guests and personnel.

Both Hong Kong and nearby casino center Macao suspended schools and flights, with numerous businesses closing their doors. Hundreds sought shelter in temporary evacuation centers across both cities. Macao's streets transformed into flowing waterways carrying debris. Emergency teams deployed inflatable vessels to rescue stranded individuals. The gambling hub's electricity provider cut power to certain flood-affected, low-lying areas as a safety precaution. As winds subsided, some residents waded into flooded streets attempting to catch fish.

Hong Kong's observatory reported that Ragasa maintained maximum sustained winds near its center of approximately 195 kph (120 mph) and passed about 100 kilometers (62 miles) south of the city. Hong Kong designates cyclones with sustained winds of 185 kph or greater as super typhoons to ensure residents exercise heightened caution during intense storms.

The observatory identified Ragasa as the strongest tropical cyclone in the northwestern Pacific and South China Sea region thus far this year. Preliminary analysis indicates it ranks as the second-most powerful storm in the South China Sea region since record-keeping began in 1950, equaling the intensity of typhoons Saola (2023) and Yagi (2024).

Before reaching China, Ragasa had already caused fatalities and extensive damage in Taiwan and the Philippines as it charted a course between the two.

In Taiwan, 17 people perished after intense rainfall caused a barrier lake in Hualien County to overflow on Tuesday. The resulting torrent of muddy water destroyed a bridge and transformed roads in Guangfu township into raging rivers that carried away vehicles and furniture.

Guangfu, home to approximately 8,450 residents, saw more than half its population seeking safety on higher floors or elevated ground by Wednesday morning.

Rescue teams established contact with over 100 previously unreachable individuals in Hualien and were conducting door-to-door checks on the remaining 17 residents. The self-governed island reported a total of 32 injuries.

At least 10 deaths were confirmed in the northern Philippines, including seven fishermen who drowned when their vessel capsized after being overwhelmed by massive waves and fierce winds on Monday near Santa Ana town in Cagayan province. Five additional fishermen remained missing, according to provincial officials.

Nearly 700,000 people were affected by the typhoon's impact, with 25,000 evacuating to government emergency shelters.